Beartracks Lake Trail

Beartracks Lake Trail is a 10.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Evergreen, CO that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

10.1 miles2673 feetLoop

dogs on leash

kid friendly

birding

camping

hiking

nature trips

walking

horseback riding

forest

lake

views

wild flowers

wildlife

blowdown

This popular trail climbs the ridge between Truesdell Creek and Beartracks Creek to Lower Beartrack Lake. Expect to encounter many other hikers on summer weekends.
From the Camp Rock Campground, the trail travels along a Bear Creek for about a mile. On crossing the creek, it climbs through the 485 acre Beartracks Fire (1998). Leaving the burn, it continues up the ridge, briefly joins the Cub Creek trail, then turns SW and crosses Beartracks Creek to the lake.

I would love to be able to actually rate this trail, but I was almost to the trail when a Ranger stopped me and let me know that it is not to be used for hiking... at least not until November. Tough luck!

Brian L.

hiking

3 months ago

Great trail. Simple enough, distance and altitude create the challenge. Had issue with trail matching US Forest Service map on Cub Creek Trail above Beaver Meadow/Resthouse Meadows Trail. Map shows Resthouse intersect above Beaver Meadows on Bear Creek. Cub Creek trail crosses Bear Creek at two log bridge near falls, pool and campsites then Y's lower down, left for Resthouse and straight for Beaver Meadows. Recorded total distance of loop at over 13 miles.

Very nice trail in Mt. Evans Wilderness. Challenging, mostly due to the distance and very peaceful, even on a mid-summer weekend. The dirt road access is in surprisingly good condition and is easily passable by passenger car. I hiked the trail on Saturday 7/23/2016 and only came across a handful of other hikers. The trail is straightforward, though one should pay attention at the Cub Creek trail crossing near the top of the trail. The trail is fully clear of blown down trees that have plagued the upper stretch in recent years and the larger, lower Beartrack lake is easily accessible. I did not attempt the small upper lake. NOTE: The full trail out & back is nearly a mile longer than what is stated above.

Found the TH! However at mile 4.8-5 the trail ends & you can NOT get to the lake. It appears that the trail at that point will not be cleared out. If you are willing to hike in the wilderness, beware of mosquitoes & flys, go to mile 3.8-4 there is a beautiful view were u can rest. If you go further its pretty much a waste of time bc within another mile you have to turn around:/. The views are beautiful throughout:)

Depending on your definition of impassable, the trail to the lake is doable. A considerably difficult maneuver with a 40 pound pack, but not impossible. If you're able-bodied and willing to climb over/under 250+ down trees, it's well worth it.

Angela C.

camping

1 year ago

Not very well marked trail. Bear Tracks trail still impassable to the lakes. Can only go as far as cub creek trail turn off.

Going to echo what others said below. The upper trail to the lake is, again, still completely impassable. The loop has been significantly cleared, but there are still a lot of trees to hop over/under. The old shelters are interesting to see, and there's some decent sized brookies in the stream that is pictured above. Nice camping near that waterfall too.

The upper trail to the Beartracks Lakes is still closed and impassable. The loop with Cub Creek and Beaver Meadows is still open, but there are several new deadfall obstacles to contend with since they cleared the big blowdown. I would also note that the road into the Camp Rock trailhead is in poor repair--would recommend a high clearance vehicle only.

Beartracks is cleared to the Cub Creek trail, but not beyond to lower Beartrack Lake. The Beartracks/ Cub Creek/Beaver Meadows loop out of the Camp Rock trailhead is open. The photo of the waterfall above is actually on the Cub Creek trail.

Trail is completely impassable! A major Micro Burst has covered the trail with twisted fallen trees. We tried to go there this weekend and could not make it. Do not try this trail until it has been cleaned up! Which doesn't look like anytime this year!